Neil Lennon: Bolton Wanderers have 'been through hell'

Gary Madine celebrates Bolton's winner, his fourth goal of the season

Bolton Wanderers' second win of the season came after going "through hell", says boss Neil Lennon.

A superb chest down and volley from Wanderers striker Gary Madine secured victory against Blackburn, their first since beating Wolves on 12 September.

It ended a 17-game winless run, but Lennon's side will still start 2016 at the bottom of the Championship.

"We've worked really hard, we've deserved a bit of luck," Lennon, 44, told BBC Radio Manchester.

"As somebody once said 'when you're going through hell, keep going', so hopefully that is a change for the better now."

Over the past month the Trotters, who are £172.9m in debt, have received a winding-up petition over unpaid taxes, been handed a transfer ban as well as continuing takeover talks as owner Eddie Davies looks to move on.

Lennon also dealt with an internal investigation into allegations made by a newspaper about him and he was delighted with how his team responded to the 4-0 loss on Boxing Day at Rotherham.

Former Bolton striker Dean Holdsworth (centre), whose consortium has been linked with a takeover of the club, watched his old side beat Blackburn

"We scored a very, very good goal and it was a question of being resolute and we got a bit of fortune which is something that we haven't had all season," the former Celtic boss added.

"I thought our reaction from a pretty poor performance on Saturday was superb. It gives me belief, I've never wavered from that."